Curb-box and cock support



July 15 1924. 1,501,511

'- v E. BEAGLE CURB BOX AND COCK SUPPORT Filed March 23 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 "July 15 1924. 1,501,511

V. E. BEAGLE.

CURB BOX AND COCK SUPPORT Filed March 23 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 15, 1924.

renn- VICTOR E. BEAGLE, O'F ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA.

CURB-BOX AND COCK SUPPORT.

I Application filed March 23, 1923. Serial No. 627,200.

T (ZZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VICTOR E. BEAGLE, a citizen of the United States,'residing at Alexandria, in the county of Alexandria and '5 State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in CurbBox and Cock Supports, of which the following is a specification.

The invention has for an object to eifect improvements in supports for curb boxes and cocks, particularly to the end that large sized cocks may be accommodated in the standard size curb box ordinarily employed for small sizes. It is a further special aim to enable the ready accommodation of inverted cocks in a device of this character in such manner that the cock is supported without being required to rest upon its bottom, which is an objectionable occurrence in inverted cocks. It is found that if the key of the cock is stuck, it loosens easier when struck by the watermans key without damage to the cock, than in ordinary in stallations. It is a furtherimportaut aim to adapt a cock support of this character to accommodate cocks having lateral waste outlets, at the same time that a stable support is provided for the cock, holding it in erect position, and at the same time supporting the box and centering the same around the cock. It is an important attainment of my invention, that while having a verysmall body within the curbbox, when installed, it

et arovides a large su 3 aort bearin for the cock ends within the lateral openings of the curb box base, and supports the cock in such manner that longitudinal movement in the line of the pipe connected thereto will not displace it from its support. It is also. an advantage that the bearing provided for the cock hexagon serves at the same time as a stop to prevent rotation of the curb box relatively to the cock, so that the pipe or the cock will not be borne upon by the box with the liability of damage so often experienced from this source. A further object is to improve the function of such support whereby liability of rotation thereof after being positioned is reduced to a minimum, and work of installation is greatly facilitated and shortened.

Additional objects, advantages and features of invention reside in the construction of my appliance, the relation of the parts thereof andits operative relation to the de vices with which it is used, as will be more readily understood from'the following description and accompanying drawings, in which,

F igure, 1 is a plan view of a support constructed in accordance with my invention, Fig.2 is a fragmentary elevational view of the lower part of a curb box in which my device is installed supporting a cock,

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of the box, the cock therein being dotted, viewed on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, v

Fig. 4 is asimilar view at right angles to Fig. 3, the cock being shownin full lines.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary cross section of the base for the box,

Fig 6 is an elevational view of the base alone, at right angles to Fig. 2.

F ig. 7 is a sectional view on the line 7-? of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a plan of a modification.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view thereof with acurb box in place and also in section, on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is an elevational view from the right of Fig. 1, I

All of the foregoing views are one-half full size.

Fig. 11 is a plan of a further modification, further reduced.

Fig. 12 is a similar View of a still further modification.

Fig. 13 is anelevation of the last mentioned modification.

There isillustrated a support comprising a circular base plate 10-, having a multiplicity of openings 11 therethrough adja cent the outer part, and upon the central part of which there is a concentric wall or ferrule 12, through which an opening 13 extends, the plate 10 stopping flush with the inner side of the wall 12, as shown. At

opposite sides of the wall 12, extensions'l4 are. formed, having alined channels 15 therein, forming saddle-like rests for the hexagonal ends 16. of the cock 17 which the device .is .designed to support. The

channels 15 extend likewise through the wallbetween the extensions 14 portions 12,

- of the sides of the channels is sufiicient to extend over the major portions of the verticalsides of the ends 16, so that when a valve is set in the device with the ends resting in the channels 15, it cannot be turned over. as long as the support device is set upon a proper foundation. The height of the lowest part of the channel 15 above the plate 10 is also such that the lower part of the cock issupported above the lower surface of the plate 10, a sufficient distance to prevent the bottom of the cock becoming jammed upon any surface upon which the plate 10 may be resting, yet leaving some clearance over the ends 16 in the openings 19 customarily formed in the opposite sides of a curb box, the lower part of which is shown at 20 inFig. 2. A comparatively small curb box is shown, of a familiar type which usually includes a reduced upper part 21 and an enlarged lower part 22, legs 23 being formed by the extension of the part 22 beside the openings 19, and foot flanges or plates 2 L being integrally formed at the lower ends of the legs, these plates being reinforced'by stiffening webs 25. The valve 17 shown in the present instance, is what is known as a Mueller inverted key cock, for one inch and a quarter pipe, which is a very bulky valve, for the size of pipe used. The remaining parts in the views are drawn to the same scale, as may be noted.

In the use of this device, a trench being dug, and the necessary pipe from a main being laid, the cock is connected thereto, and if desired, the service pipe also extended from the cock. Either before or after the service pipe is connected, the bottom of the trench is levelled directly beneaththe cock and my support device introduced under the cock, the pipe and cock being swung upwardly with ease to permit insertion of my device thereunder. The cock is permit ted to drop into the channels 15, When it will be held securely in erect position, and supported at both sides. The cock is preferably adjusted so as to rest firmly upon the support, and the latter is preferably pressed downwardly so that a part of the earth thereunder-will press upwardly into the openings 11, whereby rotation of the support on a vertical axis will be resisted, as will be readily understood. It is an advantage of this arrangement, that in making the openings 11- as shown, my device still retains an eiiiciency practically equal to one having no perforations corresponding to those 11, owing to the fact that after the earth has been caused to extrude a distance through the openings, the cohesion of the earth will develop a tension which will add to the sustaining efficiency of the remaining surfaces on the plate by the resistance to further extrusion.

The cock being adjusted in position, the curb box is then presented t-hereover and adjusted with the leg portions 23 at each side of the ferrule, and it will be seen that any tendency of a workman to adjust the box in such manner that the sides of the opening 25 would bear upon the cock will be counteracted by the engagement of the extensions 14- with the legs 23, causing more accurate positioning of the box, so that it finally assumes the position shown in Fig. 2.

In- Figures 8 to 10, I have illustrated a further extension of my invention which may be found desirable in some situations. In this instance, it is made possible to utilize still larger cocks in the box by utilizing the entire space within the box, without requiring any parts of my support to extend there-into. To this end I have formed buttresses 26 on the base plate 10, the latter corresponding in size to the plate first mentioned, and the buttresses are located in positions corresponding to the arrangement of the parts 14-. The plate is formed with an opening 27 equalling the full measurement between the legs 23 of the box, or may be formed with a recessed part of similar dimension, as shown in Fig. 9. The buttresses are located beside the opening or recess and are of a size to set snugly between the legs 23 at and within respective openings 11 of the box. Reinforcing ribs 26 are formed on their outer sides positioned and shaped so as to perform the additional function of centering the box and engaging the edges of the legs to prevent displacement of the box from alinement with the opening or recess. The buttresses are formed with channels 15 adapted to fit hexagon ends of cocks of predetermined sizes. The plate 10 may be ribbed to strengthen it beneath the box feet, or otherwise as required, and the construction may be such as to elevate the box sufficiently to accommodate large cocks without the edges of the box openings resting upon the cock therein. The size and shape of the plate may also be varied as required.

Vith my device, it will be clearly seen that the valve is always sustained securely in position with the head of the cock key cen tered in the box, and it will not be possible ordinarily for the watermans key to pass downwardly beside the valve and become wedged or caught on any parts thereof, for the reason that the width of the key is such that when inserted from the average height,

- to the pipe upon which the cock is mounted,

the cock, while the upper part of the socket portion of the watermans key is still within the narrow portion of the curb box, so that it cannot move, laterally a sufficient distance to pass dowirbeside the cock. It is an important advantage of the device that when it is necessary to loosen a stuck cock keyby delivering a blow upon the head thereof, my support device will serve as an anvil and foundation for the cock, preventing severe shock from beingcommunicated which is some instances causes leaks, and also prevents the pipe and cook from being hammered downwardly into the earth and thus displaced from the original position in the box, as well as preventing the cock from being turned over by the blows delivered. Also, the cock as before mentioned is so supported that earth or bricks under the device will not press against the bottom of the key and prevent it from being jarred by moderate blows upon the head of the key.

My device is adapted to be produced at a low cost by ordinary casting operations, requiring no machining in order to secure accurate fit and adjustment, and it may be retailed at a low cost. The use of my device will ordinarily obviate the liability of re quirement of excavating and removal of curb boxes after installation, for readjustment of the cock or replacement thereof, due to carelessness of workman, or settling, and many other causes, which my device is adapted to counteract. In ordinary installations a heavy thrust or weight on top of the box will push the box downward until it bears on the ends of the cock. lVhe-n the cock is blocked, extreme pressure is developed against the bottom of the key nut. This often causes the cock to leak. Frequently too, when the Waterman tries to cut off the water by closing such a cock, it will be found to be so tight that the pipe or the cock is broken in trying to turn off the water. Such breakage necessitates excavating the corporation cock at the main to cut ofl water while repairing the break, and such excavating is very expensive, especially where a paved street has to be cut through. With my support the cock is supported at the ends, and if blocked the blocking is prevented from engaging the cock.

It is important to note that the sides of the buttresses opposed to the edges of the box are divergent, so that it is possible to fit boxes of various sizes to my support. The larger sizes engage between the outer parts of the buttress ribs 26 and the walls of the large box simply set back from the opening 27 a short distance, as dotted at b, in Fig. 8.

Figure 13 illustrates one arrangement of ribs on the base plate, which serve the purpose of permitting use of a thinner plate,

and of raising the box for large valves if need be. In this instance, a flange 30 is formed around the opening 27, between the buttresses, this flange being broadened at the top if desired, and from this ribs 31 extend outwardly to support the foot webs of the box. Additional ribs 32 may be provided laterally outward of the first ribs to aid in steadying the box, if required. In the use of I this form the box is set between the posts and on top of the flange and ribs.

In Fig. 11 a support'is illustrated in which a low flange 33 is formed around the opening 13 between the buttresses, the external diameter of the flange being such that it will fit snugly within the lower end of a standard curb box.

It is possible to utilize with my support a curb box on which the foot piece is omitted, the sides of the box being finished at the lower end. so as to rest snugly upon my support between the buttresses either close beside the central opening in the plate or around any parts provided to fit within the box. This construction is indicated in Fig. 4, where the lower end of one leg 23 of the box corresponding to the part 23 before described, is shown set upon the base plate 10.

My support in this instance takes the place of the foot plates 24 of the ordinary box, yet the box is amply supported. This permits a cheapening of the curb box and saving of iron.

WVhat is claimed 1. As an improved article of manufacture, a support for standard common curb boxes and cooks comprising a box-supporting base plate, a central ferrule element adapted to fit into the base of a box, and having lateral extensions from the sides adapted to lie in the side openings of such a box and engage and support boxes of various sizes, said extensions having channels therein extending from within and beyond the box, adapted to fit snugly the sides and to support the hexagonal ends of a cook, the ferrule being of a size to limit sliding movement of a cock on the medial line of the channels.

2. As an improved curb box and cock support a box-supporting plate and integral elements arranged and adapted to be set within lateral lower openings of a box, having laterally extending divergent box centering parts adapted to engage opposite sides of said lower openings of a box, being so positioned and extended as to similarly engage various sizes of boxes; said integral elements having also medial horizontal channels to snugly engage respective nut ends of a cock for support of the cock and fixing thereof in erect position.

3. In a device of the character described, a box-supporting base plate, a cock-supporting &

means thereon including lateral outwardly divergent elements at receive therebetween legs of curb boxes of various sizes alternatively, for centering of 5 the boxes and to retain them against rotation and displacement from a central position on the plate, whereby smaller box legs Wlll fit each side adapted tobetween inner divergent parts, and larger box legs will fit between the same parts further from the center of the device. 10

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature.

VICTOR E. BEAGLE. 

